1 Corinthians 9

Verses 1-2

• It seems that the Corinthians began to doubt the legitimacy of Paul's apostleship. His defense was that the believers themselves were proof of his legitimacy. 

  • In other words, changed lives—people who become repentant and obedient—as a result of your influence is the proof that your work is good.

  • Remember that people are your work in the Lord. You are here to bring people closer to Christ. Do everything with this goal in mind, and your efforts will be approved.

Verses 3-11, 13-14

• It is biblically sound and even commanded by the Lord for leaders in the church to be financially compensated for their work in the gospel by the generosity of the church (1 Timothy 5:17-18, 2 Corinthians 11:8-9).

Verses 12, 15-18

• However, leaders are not to demand compensation for their work in the gospel. If so, they could be accused of misusing their right to receive compensation, and this would discredit their message (and it is better to die than for one's preaching to be discredited! [verse 15]). 

  • But leaders should receive donations from churches that are freely and cheerfully wanting to provide for them, to give them more time to minister the Word (Philippians 4:15-18, 2 Corinthians 11:8).

• Therefore, leaders should expect to labor in other ways to provide for themselves (2 Thessalonians 3:8, Acts 20:33-35), while they do the work of ministry (Acts 18:1-4).

  • All leaders should have their own work, separate from the local church, for these reasons:

    • 1. To never be a burden to the church (1 Thessalonians 2:9, 2 Corinthians 11:9),

    • 2. To never be accused of greed or covetousness (Acts 20:33-34),

    • 3. To never be accused of charging a fee to preach the gospel or using their authority as a means to demand payment (1 Corinthians 9:18, 2 Thessalonians 3:8),

    • 4. To be known by the church as a giver of value, not a taker of value, just as parents are to spend for their children (2 Corinthians 12:14-15).

• Verses 16-18. If you're a leader, remember that your work for the gospel is a stewardship from God. You are a servant, which makes you obligated to preach the gospel regardless of whether the church pays you. As such, you should not expect payment, just as a slave doesn't expect a reward (Luke 17:7-10).

  • More than anything else, your greatest desire, and your greatest reward, should be to have a reputation of working faithfully whether you're paid or not, and a reputation of never abusing your leadership authority for personal gain.

Verses 19-23

• Verse 19. Even though we are free from everyone, in that we have no master except Christ, we should choose to be servants to others for the sake of Christ.

  • In other words, do for others what is needed to win them to Christ. Serve them in this way. What does this look like?

• Verses 20-23. Simply put, be relatable to unbelievers, and find common ground with anyone that you're trying to reach. 

  • Sacrifice your impatience and your desire to force the gospel on them, and slow down. Be a real person to them, not some unapproachable, spiritual fanatic!

    • Bring down their walls by speaking to what you have in common. Be interested in their interests, be skilled in the areas they need help, talk about what concerns them, speak on what matters to them (1 Corinthians 10:33)...do what will make them feel seen, helped, and loved.

  • Remember that before unbelievers will receive the gospel, the soil of their hearts must be softened. So, don't preach the Word until they are soft enough to listen. Soften them through relationship!

Verses 24-27

• As believers, we all need to be disciplined with our bodies in order to be effective servants to Christ and to others.

• Athletes in this world are strict with their bodies, and they compete for a temporary prize. We, on the other hand, receive an eternal reward in heaven.

  Therefore, we should be even more strict with disciplining our bodies, since we live for an eternal prize! 

  • Discipline your body like you're competing for an eternal prize that you will receive at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10).

    • Exercise, and exercise hard. You should be beating your body (verse 27)!

    • Regularly fast from food.

      • Verse 25. These things build the self-control that you need to turn from sin and live your life well (Hebrews 12:1-2).

• Verse 27. If we do not discipline our bodies, to stay physically fit, we won't be approved for or able to do certain works for the kingdom.